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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Lamont's roadmap to recovery

Yesterday Ned Lamont published what he calls "A Business Plan for Connecticut", available in it's entirely via this link to NedLamont.com.

Lamont issued a press release describing his...

...multi-pronged plan to create jobs, foster business growth, and move our state's economy forward. Lamont's Business Plan for Connecticut outlines immediate steps to help our companies succeed and keep jobs in Connecticut, while building the foundation for long-term prosperity through investments in promising industries, our education system, and our transportation infrastructure.

"For too long, we've been waiting for a governor who will put Connecticut to work. We can't afford to wait anymore - it's time for a new business plan for our state. As governor, I will take immediate steps to create jobs and reduce the cost of doing business here. But I'll also keep my eye on Connecticut's future, enhancing our strengths, modernizing our infrastructure, and putting our state on a path to success," Lamont said.

"Every day, I'm going to be talking with our companies, making sure they have the support they need to grow their business, and I'll be working the phones to recruit companies to our state, bringing good jobs with them.

"Now is not the time to be timid; we've had two decades of timidity. Now is the time to chart a new course with a bold plan and unwavering commitment to provide good jobs for all our people."

Local bloggers are discussing the plan, including a nearly-as-infrequent-as-Hally's-Comet post from the elusive Spazeboy (although for some strange reason he gets more screen time in Lamont's latest online commercial than Ned himself!), and the usual great coverage in CT News Junkie.

During our blogger's chat with Ned last week, I asked him what he would do about the budget crisis if he were governor tomorrow. He covered a lot of ground in a short time with his answer, so it's helpful to see his blueprint spelled out in greater detail on his website.

Dan Malloy was quick to comment on Lamont's plan, in this press release from his campaign website:

“I’m glad to hear Ned talking about the economy. A lot of his ideas sound a lot like what I’ve been talking about for the past year and a half, and a lot like what I spent 14 years doing as Mayor of Stamford – a time during which we created almost 5,000 jobs.

“There are a few things I think we need to do that aren’t in Ned’s plan – such as instituting benchmark systems that would help the state identify critical economic needs and ensure that state resources are allocated as efficiently as possible. It makes no sense that, to this day and despite repeated attempts by the Auditors of Public Accounts to get this policy changed, Connecticut still refuses to release a list of companies that have received state aid and their respective records on job creation.

“That kind of practical review of how we’re using our resources is critical. It’s something that I learned as Mayor, and it’s an example of what separates Ned and me when it comes to economic development: our experience. I spent 14 years doing what the next Governor needs to do: taking the lead in creating jobs and fostering economic security. Ned hasn’t done that.”